The European Union and the government of Georgia have signed a €28 million deal to support security sector reforms in Georgia on the sidelines of the 16th Batumi International Conference.
The five-year ‘SAFE: EU4 Security, Accountability and Fight Against Crime in Georgia’ programme will focus on the fight against crime, cyber and hybrid threats, border management, civil protection and supervision of the security sector.
This programme will ensure safer borders and help the government more effectively protect its citizens from crime and cybercrime, hybrid threats, and natural disasters. At the same time it will also strengthen oversight of the security system by actors such as the parliament, ombudsman, independent oversight institutions, and civil society to ensure that citizens' rights are ensured”, said Lawrence Meredith, Director for the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood in the European Commission.
In addition, the EU and the government of Georgia also signed a €18.6 million ‘EU 4 Economic Governance and Fiscal Accountability’ programme to further strengthen fiscal governance in Georgia.
Activities under this programme will focus on enhancing budgetary frameworks, strengthening external audit and independent fiscal monitoring as well as encouraging civic participation in oversight of public finances.